Redhawk Caldera the still earth

Chickadee quickly appeared at her shoulder with words of reassurance. “I’m here.” It took several seconds for Ani to coax her wobbling head to turn toward her sister’s comfortingly familiar presence. She tried to raise her opposite foreleg to grasp at her. It stabbed at the air, wavering as if it had a mind of its own, before finally batting gently at Chickadee’s nearer leg, which she clutched at tightly.

What’s happening to me? she whispered, catching her sister’s eye, both of them teary. It’s like, Ani tried to explain, head still gently and involuntarily bobbing, I can’t control my own body.

It didn’t hurt. Nothing hurt, except for the dull ache in her lungs. She was exhausted, though. Perhaps she was simply too weak to control her own muscles? Ani latched on to that hope and decided she ought to eat and sleep, in that order, to regain her strength.

Maybe if I eat, it’ll go away? she said with quiet hope. I’ll take anything you want to bring, Chicky-D.